Science
An Egyptian farmer's pink stone led archaeologists to two colossal statues of Ramses II
A Nile Delta farmer reported an inscribed pink stone. Archaeologists then found two Ramses II statues, one perhaps 28 feet tall.
A farmer in Egypt's Nile Delta has helped uncover the remains of two massive statues of the pharaoh Ramses II, a discovery that is one of the fastest-rising searches in the U.S. today.
Khaled al-Shahat was working his land when he spotted a pink stone that looked like it was covered in hieroglyphs. He called the authorities and Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities sent a team of archaeologists to dig.
"I was surprised and happy when they discovered more antiquities," Shahat told CBS News. "They told me this might change the history of the area."
A head five feet tall
The team found a five-foot-tall head wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, along with part of a back pillar inscribed with Ramses II's royal title. Based on the size of the head, officials believe the full statue and base may have stood nearly 28 feet tall, Smithsonian Magazine reported.
A second statue, close to eight feet tall, was also found. Its legs and base are missing, but its head wears the striped nemes headcloth worn by pharaohs.
Why it matters
Ramses II ruled Egypt from 1279 to 1213 B.C. and is often linked to the story of Moses in popular culture. The inscribed pink granite block that Shahat first found is more than four feet long and carries two of the king's titles, son of Ra and king of Upper and Lower Egypt.
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